From about 1860-1890, housing technology changed dramatically. Architects were no longer required to use heavy timber-frame construction. House plans were freed from traditional boxlike shapes creating new design possibilities. This is evidenced in these homes and the use of complex shapes such as turrets, spires, projecting bays, and complex roof shapes. Ornamental porch columns and woodwork, a variety of brick and stone textures and tall double-hung windows - often with leaded or stained glass - further distinguish this style.

Bungalow Era 1905-1925

Classic Bungalow

These one story homes are square or rectangular with a large porch across the entire symmetrical facade. With brick upper walls and shingled gable ends (a wall terminating in a triangular shape under the eaves), the elements - trim, doors and tall, double-hung windows - are modest. Roofs are sometimes hipped )a roof with sloping ends and sides, with four sides usually meeting at a point) with a small, single dormer on the front facade.

Craftsman Bungalow

Sometimes with an extra half story, the asymmetrical facade features a large front porch, pergola (an arbor or colonnade with open roof timbers) or porte cochere (an open-walled covered structure used as a passageway or parking area for carriage or automobile) supported by massive stone, brick, or wood pillars. The roof is a low-pitched with generally front facing gable ends. Native materials such as river rock was often used, and trim (timer trusses, brackets etc.) is exposed. Front "Chicago" windows (a central picture window with double-hung units on either side) are framed. Upper sashes are often broken up into smaller panes.

California Bungalow

Usually one story with four to six rooms, features include low-to-medium-pitched gable roofs with decorative shingle work or stucco and ornamental wood vent screens in the upper gable ends, masonry and wood-columned porches offset from the center, one over one double-hung windows with multi-panel upper sashes, front picture windows and sidelights around the front door. Pergolas and porte cocheres are common and eaves often contain wood brackets or beams on a small scale.

Encompassing modest detailing from several eras of Spanish and Mexican architecture, including applied terra-cotta, tile or cast concrete ornaments, these homes - generally one story - have a combination of low-pitched gable, shed and flat roofs. Other characteristics include small porches, smooth plastered walls and chimneys, Roman or semi-circular-arched arcades and door and window openings, tall, doulbe-hung windows, canvas awnings and decorative iron trim

Monterey Revival

Generally two stories with one-story elements as well, these homes feature second story balconies with square wooden posts and heavy timber beams. The roofs are low pitched, usually gabled, sometimes hipped, with red tiles and stuccoed chimneys. Exterior walls are plastered in white or light colors (or sometimes painted brick) with second story walls possibly covered with wood siding. Plans are L-shaped or rectangular and ornamentation is sparse.

These one story homes are square or rectangular with a large porch across the entire symmetrical facade. With brick upper walls and shingled gable ends (a wall terminating in a triangular shape under the eaves), the elements - trim, doors and tall, double-hung windows - are modest. Roofs are sometimes hipped )a roof with sloping ends and sides, with four sides usually meeting at a point) with a small, single dormer on the front facade.

Southwest Style

These one-story homes with flat stuccoed walls in light or earth tone colors are basically rectangular in plan with some variations. The roofs are a combination of flat and low-pitched gable with red tiles, scuppers and exposed roof beams. They may have a front porch, a vestibule or portals with round arches and generally unadorned. Windows are tall, one-over-ones with picture windows also being found

Period Revival Era 1915-1940 English and French Revival Styles

Tudor / Elizabethan Revival

Often featuring authentic English elements, these homes are characterized by multiple gables with very steep wood or slate shingle roofs - sometimes with shed or gable dormers. Other characteristics are flat-topped Tudor, Gothic or round-arched windows and door openings, leaded glass casement windows, high and/or massive chimneys and portals or vestibules rather than open porches. The walls may be brick, stone or plaster and feature half-timbering in the Elizabethan examples.

Cotswold Revival

The roofs of these homes often undulate to appear wavelike, simulating the appearance of a thatched roof. Shingles bent to curve around the eaves are a distinguishing feature. Other features include a prominent, large chimney, casement windows with small panes, walls of several materials (stone, brick, stucco and half-timbering) and a small front porch or vestibule.

With walls of massive, rusticated stone and sometimes combining brick and stucco, English Cottage style homes feature large chimneys of stone and brick, small-paned casement windows, medium-pitched gable roofs with occasional half-timbering in gables and square, round or segmented windows and door openings.

Period Revival Era 1915-1940 American Colonial Revival Styles

American Colonial Revival

A simple, boxlike one or two-story design with horizontal wood siding, stucco, wood shingles or painted brick, these homes often feature a front porch the full length of the house (or just the width of the main entry) with wood posts or columns. Other features include American Colonial door surrounds, six-over-six windows, small roof-top chimneys and Federal or Greek revival trim at columns, cornices, casings and door openings.

Early Ranches feature an L-shaped plan, often with a small wood-columned porch over the entry, painted or unpainted brick wall and metal-framed windows with small panes. Corner windows were often used. The roofs are low-pitched gable or hop and often have asphalt shingles with horizontal wood siding at the gable ends.

International Style

The unique International style features low, squared, geometric form with flat roofs and smooth stucco walls. Windows and door openings are also square. Windows have small panes and are often found at the corners of the building.

Art Moderne

Differing from the International style in the use of curved lines, curved hoods or canopies are sometimes found over the entries. Glass block is often used, sometimes in curved windows.

Other Ranches

Spanish Colonial, French Provincial and American Colonial Ranches all borrow decorative elements for effect, rather than incorporating the full range of features found in these styles.